Must-Attend Talks at International Music Summit Dubai

Beyond beats and dancefloors, and within the intricacies of electronic music as a thriving global and regional industry, Dubai’s inaugural International Music Summit opens up conversations at the crossroads of finance, tech, music, and culture. From stars taking centre stage to thought leaders sharing expertise and emerging artists, DJs, agents, and entrepreneurs making their mark, Dubai will host riveting morning talks and panel discussions on November 14th and 15th. And of course, at night, we’ll return to the dance floor. Here are our picks from the summit’s packed agenda; for the full schedule, head to internationalmusicsummit.com.

JAMES CRAVEN, PRESIDENT OF LIVE NATION MIDDLE EAST

Navigating the Music Industry in the MENA Region

With over 20 years in live events and 500+ shows to his name, James Craven, Live Nation's regional President, is a force in the MENA music scene. His career spans high-profile festivals across Europe and the Middle East, mega-sporting events like Dubai World Cup and Formula 1, and roles at cultural hubs like Saudi Arabia’s Ithra. This session promises an insider's view on MENA's growing music industry, where James shares insights on navigating its unique challenges and opportunities.

DEEP DISH, ARTISTS 

Iran/USA 

Keynote Interview

Ali “Dubfire” Shazinia and Sharam Tayebi, the Grammy-winning duo behind Deep Dish, crafted a unique sound blending house, techno, and pop. Rising in the '90s with remixes for legends like Madonna and Cher, their debut Junk Science cemented their legacy. After a 2006 split, they reunited in 2014, bringing fresh energy with hits like “Quincy” and stunning live shows.

ADRIATIQUE, ARTIST

Switzerland

Keynote Interview

Adriatique has risen as a respected name in electronic music, known for their visionary artistry and event concepts. Industry giants like Afterlife, Awakenings, Circoloco, and Diynamic have embraced their work, while they’ve established their own platforms: Siamese, a record label, and X, a forward-thinking event series.

COSMICAT, ARTIST 

Saudi Arabia

Beatport Presents Collektive & Playroom Taking MENA Artists to the Global Stage

Cosmicat, a trailblazing Saudi electronic music DJ and producer, has been instrumental in shaping the local scene. She’s performed at major events like MDL Beast Soundstorm, Ultra Miami, and Tomorrowland. She also hosts her own show on Al Ula FM.

SALAM KMEID, HEAD OF CONTENT MARKETING ANGHAMI

Lebanon

The Growth of Labels & Streaming in the MENA Region

With over 12 years in the music industry, Salam has driven key achievements at Anghami, including exclusive deals like the 2022 signing with Amr Diab and launching the Sawt Jdeed program to spotlight emerging artists like Zeyne and Husayn. She played a pivotal role in reintegrating Merlin's network in 2019 and reintroducing Rotana’s catalogue in 2022, reinforcing Anghami as a MENA music community hub.

STRVY, ARTIST & PRODUCER

USA

Defining A Genre: the Sound of the Region

Stryv is an artist, producer, and songwriter known for his hit single "Move" with Adam Port. His production credits span major artists, including Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's "VULTURES" and Jason Derulo and Michael Bublé’s latest single, "Spicy Margarita." Stryv has also produced Snow Wife’s breakout track "American Horror Show" and collaborated with names like Keinemusik, CKay, Ava Max, Rita Ora, and Galantis.

KAZIM RASHID, CHIEF CREATIVE & BRAND OFFICER RESIDENT ADVISOR 

UK

Evolution of the MENA Music Industry

Kazim Rashid, Chief Creative & Brand Officer at Resident Advisor, is a UK-based music executive, creative director, and award-winning filmmaker with two decades of experience. Starting his career by promoting events while studying at Leeds University, Kazim launched record labels and the magazine somethinkblue in Berlin. His early success led to senior roles, including Time Out Berlin and global music campaigns at Vice’s Virtue agency. Later, as Head of Marketing at Warp Records, he managed major projects like Aphex Twin’s Syro. Kazim now heads ENDLESSLOVESHOW, a creative studio for Grammy-nominated artists and top brands, while leading Resident Advisor’s brand and creative strategy.

HASSAN ALWAN, FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR BOOGIE BOX

Iraq

Dubai Underground Scene & Culture

Boogie Box founder, now in its 15th season, has been bringing House and Techno nights and festivals to the Middle East with guest DJs like Boddika, Mathew Jonson, and Isolee. Over a 22-year DJ career, he’s played renowned venues like Berlin's Griessmuehle and Kit Kat Club, London’s Corsica Studios, and Abu Dhabi’s Boiler Room and Louvre Museum. Alwan also opened for artists like Nicolas Jaar and Sven Vath. In 2017, he launched Boogie Box Records, a label releasing music from artists like STL and Shed, with upcoming vinyl and digital releases from DJ Skull and others.

SALIAH, MUSIC PRODUCER, DJ & CREATIVE PRACTITIONER FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

UK/Lebanon

Mena Women in Music

Presented by Little Pink Book Saliah, a celebrated British-Lebanese DJ and producer, is known for blending SWANA music with bass-heavy UK club genres, creating a unique sound and energetic stage presence that captivates global audiences. Selling out all her 2023 headline shows, her track Habibi Riddim earned BBC Radio One’s ‘Dance Floor Moment.’ Saliah also made history with the first all-female lineup sellout in Cairo. Beyond performing, she supports grassroots organizations and teaches DJ workshops, aiming to build a legacy she describes as “for us, by us.”

YAS MEEN SELECTRESS, CO-FOUNDER DHAMMA COLLECTIVE & DJ

Egypt Market Focus: Egypt

Presented by Scene Noise Yas Meen Selectress, an Egyptian DJ based in Cairo, blends percussive bass and cultural influences to craft unique club experiences. With roots in Egypt and a decade spent in New York, her sets fuse Middle Eastern electronic music with rhythmic bass from the city’s diasporic club scene. A co-founder of the all-female music collective Dhamma, Yas Meen is also a passionate community organizer, promoting culture and music in Cairo’s vibrant scene.

Timmy Mowafi

Co-founder SceneNoise & Mo4Network

Egypt

Egypt Market Focus: Egypt

Presented by Scene Noise Timmy Mowafi, a British-born Egyptian entrepreneur and creative director, is the co-founder of MO4 Network, a leading Middle Eastern creative agency and media network. MO4 includes 13 influential digital publications, such as SceneNoise, a pioneering music platform that offers news, reviews, features, documentaries, and event coverage. SceneNoise serves as a digital space for musicians and fans to explore innovative sounds emerging from the Arab world.

JANET ASHAK, HEAD OF YOUTUBE MUSIC MENA

Egypt

Navigating the Music Industry in the MENA Region

Janet Ashak is the Head of Music for MENA at YouTube, overseeing the platform’s music strategy in the region. With extensive experience in the music industry, she plays a key role in shaping YouTube’s efforts to support and amplify local artists while fostering the growth of the region’s music scene.

OLGA ZYRYAEVA, GLOBAL MARKETING DIRECTOR SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Ukraine

Importing of International Artists & Brands

Olga Zyryaeva is the Global Marketing Director at Sony Music Entertainment, specializing in brand strategy and international campaigns. With 20 years of experience in marketing and communications across industries including entertainment, IT, and FMCG, she has led major partnerships and communications for Spotify in EMEA and Southeast Asia. Zyryaeva has also worked with brands like Badoo, Bumble, and British American Tobacco. A PhD in Arabic culture, Cannes Lions winner, and TEDx speaker, she’s a published author and expert in brand strategy, e-commerce, and product innovation, with contributions to Forbes, Esquire, and GQ.

MATHEW DICKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MUSIC & TALENT MDLBEAST LLC

UK

The Growth of Labels & Streaming in the MENA Region

Matthew is the Executive Director of Music & Talent at MDLBEAST, overseeing labels, publishing, and regional music strategy since 2021. A veteran of electronic music, Matthew has worked with iconic brands like DJ Mag, Ministry of Sound, UKF, and NCS, focusing on digital music, streaming, and talent innovation. At MDLBEAST, he leads the labels MDLBEAST Records, WTR, Gabu, Mahool, and Maestolab, and launched MDLBEAST Radio and the growing Publishing and Music Partnership division.